The temple invites people to join Buddha’s Birthday Celebration to  perform a “Buddha bath” and have a noodle soup after that.

Bathing the Buddha, also known as “baby Buddha bathing,” is a ritualistic act performed during Buddha’s Birthday celebrations to symbolize purification and inner cleansing. It involves pouring fragrant water over a statue of the infant Buddha (Prince Siddhartha) to cleanse the mind, body, and speech.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Symbolism:
Bathing the Buddha is a symbolic act that represents the cleansing of negative qualities like anger, greed, and ignorance. It’s believed that by bathing the Buddha, one can purify their own inner impurities and cultivate wisdom.
Ritual:
The ritual typically involves kneeling in front of the statue, pouring fragrant water (often tea or soup) three times, and making sincere prayers.
Meaning:
The act of bathing the Buddha is a reminder that it’s easier to wash away physical dirt than to cleanse one’s inner impurities. It encourages individuals to strive for spiritual purification.
Connection to Buddha’s Birth:
Bathing the Buddha is a way to commemorate Buddha’s birth and to express gratitude for his teachings.
Universality:
The ritual is observed by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.
Historical Context:
The tradition of bathing the Buddha dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280 CE) in China.